Fence-post.



PATENTED DEC. 31. 1907.

O. S. BEEBE.

FENCE POST.

APPLICATION FILED OCT. 12. 1906.

Z SHEETSSHEET 1.

attuned;

THE NORRIS FE co., WASHINGTON, o. c.

No. 875,039. PATENTED DEC. 81, 1907- O. S. BEBBH FENCE POST.

APPLICATION FILED OCT.12,1906.

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CHARLES S. BEEBE, OF PERU, INDIANA.

ENCE-P051,

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. 31, 1907.

Application filed October 12. 1906. Serial No. 338,625.

To all whom it may concern.

Be it known that I, CHARLES S. BEEBE, a citizen of the United States, residing at Peru, Miami county, Indiana, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Fence-Posts; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to certain improvements in fence posts and the like; and the objects and nature of my invention will be readily understood by those skilled in the art in the light of the following explanation of the structures shown in the accompanying drawings as examples of constructions, from among others, within the spirit and scope of my invention.

An object of the invention is to produce an improved construction of base for fence posts and the like, which can be easily and quickly formed in the ground from plastic material, such as concrete or the like, and which is of such construction that the fence posts can be readily applied thereto and firmly held thereby, whereby wooden fence posts can be employed formed from fence rails or old wooden-posts or other suitable material.

A further object of my invention is to provide an improved plastic material base for fence posts and the like of such formation that the base can be easily and quickly molded in the ground and whereby the wooden or other post can be at once applied thereto and secured thereon in fixed upright position without waiting the usual time for the concrete or other plastic material to set before applying the post.

A further object of the invention is to provide certain improvements in details and arrangements whereby a durable, efficient and improved fence post construction will be produced.

The invention consists in certain novel features in construction and arrangements and in combinations as more fully and particularly set forth hereinafter.

Referring to the accompanying drawings Figure 1, is a perspective view of a post and base formed and arranged in accordance with my invention. Fig. 2, is a sectional perspective showing the post hole and. parts arranged therein preparatory to molding the concrete base in said hole. Fig. 3, is a perspective view of the exposed part of the base, the post being removed, portions of twisted guy wires being shown: Fig. 4, is a cross sectional view through the portion of the base exposed above the ground, dotted lines indicating the post and its notched lower end: Fig. 5, is a perspective view of a base and post in accordance with my invention, a different arrangement of guy wires being shown: Fig. 6, is a detail perspective of the exposed portion of the base, showing a different arrangement of guy wires and attaching means: Fig. 7 ,is a detail perspective of the base showing a modified arrangement of reinforcing wires and guy wire attaching means, dotted lines indicating the buried part of the base and the wires and anchor therein.

I desire to form the bases for the posts of plastic material, such as concrete, which hardens and which when hardened or set is practically indestructible, and which will usually project above the surface of the ground and be so formed as to receive and support posts of any desirable formation or material, but which is so formed that old wood posts and fence rails can be cut and utilized as posts by fitting and securing the same to theconcrete bases. I also provide a construction or formation of base which permits the bases to be molded in the ground where the posts are to be located, and as the construction of the fence progresses.

According to my invention, each post or base hole is dug in the ground of the size and depth desired, although I usually form each hole somewhat oblong in cross section. I then place two boards or planks 1, horizontally on the surface of the ground along the opposite short edges of the hole. I then place a pair of rods 2, on the boards and across the top of the hole. These rods are preferably arranged parallel and horizontal and are spaced a distance apart. On each rod, I hang a wire loop 3. Each loop is formed of a length of strong usually stiff wire having its two ends bent around a rod 2, to form eyes 4, arranged at opposite end portions of the rod adjacent to the edges of the board. Between the eyes 4, each wire depends in the post hole forming a downwardly tapering loop arranged a distance from the walls of the post hole and terminating usually a short distance above the bottom of the post hole. The two wire loops thus hanging from the two rods are prefferably of the same length and are usually arranged near the opposite wide or side vertical walls of the post hole. To hold the loops in position and taut during the molding operation and to form an anchor therefor, I place a block 5, in the two loops so as to be upheld by the loops above the bottom of the post hole. I can utilize a brick or a brick bat for this purpose so that the loops pass under the opposite end. portions of block and thereby uphold the same in a horizontal position. I then completelyfill the hole with concrete or other suitable plastic material 6, to completely inclose the block, wire loops and rods. The concrete is built up up a distance above the surface of the ground to form the upward projection 7, of the base approximately oblong in shape. Centrally across the upper end of the base, I mold or otherwise form the transverse slot or seat 8, of a suitable depth andopen at the top and ends and having an arched or inverted. \l-shaped floor 9. In other words, the floor 9, inclines in opposite directions or diverges from a central point to the ends of the slot. I remove the boards, and while the concrete is moist, I withdraw the two rods 2, thereby leaving two horizontal parallel spaced holes extending longitudinally through the upper end of the baseand opening through the comparatively narrow end edges thereof, usually a distance above the surface of the ground.

Posts 10 of any suitable material and formation can be employed with their lower ends of a size to fit snugly in the post seats or slots of the concrete bases. The lower end edge of each post is formed with a V- notch to fit the floor of the base post seat, and thereby center. the post in the seat and hold the same against lateral displacement. Headed spikes, nails or the like, 11, are then forced into the open ends of the holes left by the withdrawal of the rods 2, so that the headed ends of the spikes or nails will project at the opposite edges of the base. Each post is then most rigidly and firmly secured in position and to a base, by the opposite wire guys 12, at their upper ends confined to the opposite sides of the post, a considerable distance above the lower. end thereof, and from thence extending downwardly and outwardly, and at their lower ends secured to said projections 11, at the opposite ends of the base, thereby holding the post against movement in either direction transversely of the plane of the line of fence Wire's, while the fence wires in connection with the base post seat will hold and brace the post against movement in the plane of the fence.

In Figs. 1 and 2, I show two twisted guys 12, extending from opposite sides of the post down to the attaching projections at the opposite ends of the base.

In Fig. 1, I show I eraoee spikes 15, driven in the sides of the post a distance above the base. I then take two lengths of strong usually soft or pliable wire, and loop the central portions thereof, each around a spike or nail 15, and twist the opposite ends of the wires around projections 11, at opposite ends of the base. I then tightly twist together the separate lengths of wire on each side of the post by any suitable implement inserted between the separate wire lengths. The separate wire lengths are thus formed into the two strong twisted guys as shown in Fig. 1 and the upper portions of the guys are thereby caused to tightly wrap partially around and grip the post and to a certain extent relieve the strain on the spikes 15.

In Fig. 5, I show staples 13, driven into the front and rear faces of the posts. Each guy wire is passed through a staple and then at its ends twisted around the separate projections 11, at the corresponding side of the base. The opposite lengths of each guy wire are then tightly twisted together. By these arrangem ents, the posts are held under a strong tension and are most firmly and rigidly held down in the base, forming an exceedingly strong and durable structure, permitting the use of posts formed from old. wood posts and fence rails, in connection with my base and system of bracing. The spikes or nails 11, driven into the holes formed by the removal of the rods 2, enter the eyes 4, of the wire loops. The strain of the guy draws the post down into the seat in the base top, and pulls upwardly on the spikes or projections 11, and hence upwardly on the wire loops, but said wire loops are anchored in the concrete by the brick or block heretofore described. I hence, can apply the posts. to the bases, practically as soon as the bases are molded without waiting for the expiration of the comparatively long period necessary for thorough hardening of the concrete. Even if the concrete is comparatively soft, when the posts are applied and the guys are twisted, the strain on the wire loops will not out or damage the concrete, as the loops are anchored by the comparatively large blocl s and the strain of the wires is directly on said anchoring blocks which present their large flat top faces to the concrete above. If so desired, the rods 2, can be left in the bases and the guy wires can be applied to the pro jecting ends thereof. If desired, the bases can be molded in forms, and allowed to thoroughly dry, and then be transported to the points where they are to be buried. Where the bases are so molded and then buried, it is not essential that the wire loops be anchored by the bloclrs, as the bases will be thorougl'ily set and hardened before the posts are applied thereto. If so desired, the rods 2, can be arranged to form holes transversely through the end portions of the base upper end, as shown, in Fig. 6. In this form the same arrangement of depending loops hung on the rods, will be employed, preferably, in connection with the anchor.

W'here the arrangement of Fig. 6, is employed, the guy wires will ordinarily extend down at the side faces of the base to the latera-l projections 11, and the two wire lengths at each side of the post are twisted together, as hereinbefore described, to hold the post under tension. Also, if so desired, the rods 2, can be supported at such an elevation above the ground as to be above the base when completed. In this event, the eyes 14, of the wire loops, will project upwardly above the top surface of the base, as shown in Fig. 7, and the guy wires can hence be di rectly passed through and secured to the eyes 14 without the intervention of the spikes or other projections 11, and the holes formed in the base therefor. However, as at present advised by experience, I prefer the arrangement disclosed by Fig. 1, although I do not wish to limit myself toall features disclosed. thereby.

In all the constructions shown, the bases are preferably so formed, that the posts will stand alone when seated in the post sockets or slots while the fence line wires are being stapled. to the posts, so that the guys can be twisted and tightened to secure the posts and line up the fence after the fence wires have been applied.

It is evident that various changes and modifications might be resorted to without departing from the spirit and scope of my invcntion, hence I do not wish to limit myself to the exact construction shown.

hat I claim is 1. In combination, a plastic material base provided at its upper end with a post receiving slot extending completely across the same and formed with an arched floor, and a post secured to the base and fitted in said slot and having its lower end notched to receive said floor.

2. In combination, a plastic material base formed across the central portion of its upper end. with a post receiving slot open at the top and both ends and formed with a fioor diverging downwardly from its central portion, a post fitted in said slot and having its lower end edge formed to fit said floor, and guys between the post and base and arranged on opposite sides of the post.

3. In combination, a plastic base having an intermediate post receiving slot, said base provided at each end with separated wire fastening means having metal reinforces embedded. in the base, a post seated in said slot and having wire receiving projections a distance above said. lower end, and twisted guy wires from said projections to said separated wire fastening means.

4. In combination, a plastic base having an intermediate post socket in its upper end,

portions of the base on'opposite sides of said socket having separated projecting metal wire fastening means, a post seated in said socket and a distance above its lower end having wire securing projections at its opposite sides, and guys arranged on opposite sides of the post between said projections and said means, each guy comprising wire lengths tightly twisted together between the 0st and said means.

5. A plastic base, having a post receiving slot open at the top and ends and extending across the central portion of the upper end of the base, in combination with a post at its lower end seated in said slot, and guys from the post to opposite end portions of the base.

6. A post base of plastic material having a metal reinforce therein, and an internal anchor block therefor.

7. A plastic material post having wire loops embedded therein, guy attaching devices at the ends of said loops, and an anchor within the base and for said loops.

8. A plastic material base having wire loops depending within the base having eyes at their upper ends, and a block within the lower part of the base and under which said loops pass and by which they are anchored.

9. A plastic base having a post seat, holes through the upper part of the base, metal reinforces within the base having eyes alined with said holes, and metal guy securing members passed through said eyes and fitted in said holes and projecting at the exterior of the base.

10. A plastic material post base having a top post socket, wire loops depending within the base and having eyes at their upper ends arranged at opposite portions of the upper end of the base to receive means for fastening post guy wires, and an anchor block within the lower portion of the base and under and in engagement with which the lower ends of the loops pass.

11. A plastic material base for fence posts and the like, molded with an upwardly projecting end and having an intermediate top post receiving slot, and with exterior wire attaching projections arranged at the opposite base ends and provided with a metal reinforce embedded within the base for staying said projections.

12. A plastic material base for fence posts and the like molded with its upper end having an intermediate socket, a looped stay wire molded in the base with upwardly extending ends, and exterior guy wire attaching means at opposite portions of the post and connecting with said stay wire ends.

13. In combination, a plastic material base having an intermediate post socket in its upper end and provided with projections exposed at the exterior of said upper end and arranged. at the ends of a stay wire embedded in the base, a post fitted in said socket, and

opposite inclined guy wires attached to the post and to said exterior projections and twisted to draw the post under tension down into said socket.

14. A plastic material base having a transverse post receiving slot across its top and provided with exposed exterior guy wire attaching projections at the ends of its top.

15. A plastic material base formed at its top to receive a post or the like and at the ends of its top having exposed guy wire attaching projections, and a looped metal reinforce embedded in the base and at its upper ends staying said projections.

16. A plastic material base for posts and the like having a metal reinforce molded therein and having its upper ends looped within the base and guy securing members within said looped ends and projecting at the exterior of the base to receive the guys.

17. In combination, a post, a plastic material base having an intermediate top post socket and exposed guy wire securing proterial base formed to receive said post and having opposite guy wire securing portions, and guy wires secured at the opposite sides of said post and extending down to said projections, the plies secured at opposite sides of the post being tightly twisted together thereby forming two opposite guys, each at its upper portion partially embracing the post.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature,

in presence of two witnesses.

CHARLES S. BEEBE.

Witnesses:

SUsIE SCHWARTZ, NoTT N. ANTRI'M. 

